Good evening, and welcome to the live coverage of a crucial Club World Cup group stage, as the reigning European champions take on Austrias RB Salzburg, here at the Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It’s a damp but humid night in the state capital, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to what the night could hold. The stakes could not be higher: if Al Hilal secure victory in their match against Pachua, which kicks off at the same time, RB Salzburg will be forced to take all three points to advance to the knockout rounds. In comparison, Real Madrid only need a draw to book their place in the knockout rounds thanks to their goal difference.
Los Blancos will field a team without their striker, Kylian Mbappé who is absent through injury, making way for 19-year-old Gonzalo Garcia to make a statement. The youngster will partner Vinicius JR, who is still searching for a statement performance in this competition. In defence, Aurélien Tchouaméni will slot in as a centre-back alongside new-signing, Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger, while Federico Valverde wears the captain’s armband tonight. Meanwhile, Rodrygo has been relegated to the bench, with rumours that he could be leaving the Spanish capital this summer.
For RB Salzburg, manager Thomas Letsch makes two changes from the previous game, opting for younger alternatives to bring the spark this evening. 22-year-old midfielder, Mamady Diambou and Serbian youngster, Petar Ratkov find themselves in the starting XI, after starting on the bench in the previous game against Al Hilal, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Letsch will be hoping that his choice of fresh legs can be the difference makers.
Tension is building in the stands, as the Real Madrid faithful are getting behind their team – who are warming up below them.
Kick-off is barely five minutes away now.
1’ Kick-off at the Lincoln Financial Field and Real Madrid already look dominant on and off the ball.
3’ RB Salzburg are looking to catch Madrid on the break, knowing that playing through them is a difficult task to take on.
4’ Los Blancos are passing the ball around with ease, keeping Salzburg on their toes.
6’ Jude Bellingham wins the ball high up the pitch, leading to Fran Garcia getting a shot away, but his attempt is blocked by the Salzburg backline.
7’ English teammates, Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold team up again, resulting in a Madrid corner.
8’ Trent whips a ball in, finds Rudiger but the German defender sends it flying over the bar.
9’ Salzburg tries to break but it’s ruled for offside.
10’ Bellingham and Trent seeing a lot of the ball in the opening ten minutes but can’t quite make something of the possession.
11’ Edmund Baidoo of Salzburg looks threatening on the counter, but the attack comes to nothing, as Madrid get enough bodies back in time.
12’ Advantage played in Madrid’s favour, but they can’t capitalise on the chance.
13’ Salzberg are sitting very deep, making it difficult for Madrid to find a way through.
14’ Tonights captain, Federico Valverde receives the ball in the middle of the pitch, upping the tempo of the attack.
15’ Vinicius Jr scuffs his shot in front of goal! Wasted chance for Madrid as Garcia slides the ball into the box after receiving it on the wing.
16’ Arda Guler swings in a ball from a set piece but overhits it, and the ball flies out of play for a Salzburg goal kick.
17’ Madrid’s high press is paying off, with Salzburg struggling to retain possession and move the ball out of their own half.
18’ Salzberg looking sloppy playing out the back, will it punish them eventually? It’s only a matter of time before Madrid pounce.
19’ Baidoo carefully puts it through the legs of Rudiger in the box but overhits his attempt, as Courtois calmly collects the ball.
20’ 18-year-old Salzburg goalkeeper, Christian Zawieschitzky SAVES Vinicius’ shot, but Madrid continues to push relentlessly.
Garcia sends it into the box, but after a messy couple of moments, the ball is hit over the bar. Madrid must go again.
21’ Madrid corner, but Dean Huijsen sends it slightly wide of the post. They’re getting closer with each attempt.
23’ When Salzburg gets on the ball, they are producing nice football, but the spells don’t last too long due to Madrids unwavering tenacity.
25’ Corner to Real Madrid, they’re really growing into the game now, but Salzburg clear their lines once again.
27’ Good move from the Austrian side, as Nene Dorgeles shoots wide. The Austrian side proving they’re a threat going forward if Madrid leave them space.
28’ Baidoo comes close to putting one away, after Salzburg win the ball high in the Madrid half.
29’ Clever flick from 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia as he plays in Vinicius JR, but the wingers’ ball just can’t find a teammate.
30’ Corner to Salzburg as Nene is proving to be a headache for Rudiger.
35’ Salzburg have really pushed bodies up the pitch, trying to break through Madrid’s defence.
37’ Rudiger goes down slightly inside Salzburg’s half, but referee shooed away his plea for a foul as the Austrian side enjoy a long spell of possession.
38’ Trent sends it long to Vinicius, as he reaches Fran Garcia in the box, but the ball doesn’t fall kindly for him.
39’ Petar Ratkov receives the ball in the Madrid box, but his heavy touch takes the ball away from him.
40’ GOAL! Vinicius Jr gets on the scoresheet for the first time in this competition, as Bellingham plays a beautiful through to him, cutting up the Salzburg backline.
43’ Ball into the box from Trent, finding the head of Valverde but his mis-timed jump sees him miss a golden opportunity to double his sides lead.
44’ Madrid’s goal has given them all the confidence to push for another goal, as they’re really giving the fans a worthwhile show.
45’ Petar Ratkov receives the ball on the edge of the box, but his weak shot finds the hands of Courtois.
45+2’ As the clock nears half-time, Madrid isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. There’s lots of work for Salzburg to do in the second half.
45+3’ GOAL! Vinicius Jr picks up a loose ball, and plays in captain, Federico Valverde to make it 2-0 to Los Blancos on the stroke of half-time.
HALF-TIME: Two goals in eight minutes for Los Blancos, as they finally break the deadlock and are 45 minutes away from confirming their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
46’ Salzburg make two attacking changes at the break, bringing on Maurits Kjærgaard and Adam Daghim, replacing Petar Ratkov and Mamady Diambou.
47’ Substitute Kjærgaard manages a shot on target early-on, but the save is comfortable for the goalkeeper.
50’ There’s another substitute causing problems as Daghim forces Thibaut Courtois into a near-post save, resulting in a corner.
52’ Another chance for Daghim as Bellingham loses the ball in a dangerous position.
54’ Valverde is searching for another goal, as he slices a shot slightly over the bar.
58’ After a confident opening ten minutes for Salzburg, Madrid have regained the control of the game, completely shutting down the attacking prowess of their Austrian opponents.
63’ Good wing play from Salzburg but Kjærgaard sends the ball flying over the bar. Big chance missed for Salzburg. With 30 minutes to go, a goal is crucial for Salzburg to stay in the game.
65’ Valverde is still searching for another goal but slices his attempt wide, after Vinicius Jr turns on the tricks, attempting to outwit his opponents.
66’ Cleared off the line by Bellingham, after Baidoo’s shot was headed for the back post.
67’ Triple change for Madrid, as Jacobo Ramon, Rodrygo and Luca Modric enter the pitch for the final 25 minutes. Rudiger is substituted with a cramp, as Vinicius and Arda Guler also make way for fresh legs.
69’ The English duo link up kindly again, as Trent plays a clever flick into the path of Bellingham, who swings one into the box, but no one is there to put it into the back of the net.
71’ Salzburg defender Joane Gadou times his tackle perfectly to deny Garcia of a goal-scoring opportunity.
73’ Another substitute for Salzberg as Soumaila Diabate makes way for Yorbe Vertessen, whilst Dani Ceballos is introduced for Madrid, in place of goal scorer, Valverde.
76’ There’s a block from Tchouaméni as Salzburg gets two chances to put the ball in the net.
78’ Salzburg are making impressive runs, especially down the left-hand side but the quality is lacking in the final third to really make the difference.
80’ Great footwork from Bellingham to retain possession and find Fran Garcia, who was storming towards goal. The attack comes to nothing.
82’ Bellingham makes way for Brahim Diaz after a stand-out performance.
83’ Madrid break quickly but Rodrygo sends his chance into the stands.
84’ GOAL! Gonzalo Garcia, with a beautiful finish, finalises Salzburgs exit from the competition, as Trent registers a quality assist from his own half.
87’ Salzburg continue to push, not giving up as the game enters its final minutes.
89’ Despite being 3-0 down, Salzburg are preparing two more last minute substitutes in the form of Samson Baidoo and Karim Onisiwo.
FULL TIME: Madrid claim a confident win, and eliminate RB Salzburg in the process and they advance into the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. An impressive performance from Vinicius Jr sees him win “Superior Player of the Match” with two goal contributions to his name. Madrid will face Juventus in the round of 16, and it already promises to be a great watch.
Thank you for tuning in for this game – hope you enjoyed it!
